The Temple of Elemental Evil game thread

Anrin was out of the tavern when Darf came in, so he takes a moment to introduce himself to the dwarf. He then says, "So, I take it you'd like to visit the adventurers in the tower to the East of the village, and I was hoping to talk to the woodcutter, who as far as I saw also lives in that direction, so that should be along the way. Where would other people like to visit before nightfall? I don't believe the rumours, but it might be wise to stay together in our explorations."

"We could also visit Brother Smyth, he's the druid's assistant, so he may have some idea what's going on outside the village. I definitely think it would be wise to stick together, at least until we figure out what's going on around here."

"And after that i say we go hear the dragon tale Sanora was speaking about."

"A splendid plan!"

"We are of one mind, Lady Sanora and Sir Darf, as the dragon slayers live in the tower to the east of the village."

So it sounds like we have our three places, and we're sticking together. Let's go :-)

When the blacksmith pauses for a moment, Anrin speaks up in a friendly tone, "Good afternoon, and blessings of the Old Gods upon you!" If he responds positively, Anrin continues, "We hear you help the venerable druid of the village. We are here to lend our aid to the village at large - pray tell us what evils plague the village and the surrounds."

"Thank you for the kind words and advice. We will do as you suggest." Sanora says to the blacksmith. The quietly to her squire and the others "Where I a less observant person I would be begin to wonder if the rumors of trouble had been trumped up just to lure us here to spend some money, but there is something strange going on...I'm just not sure what."

Anrin is very excited to discover the druid's grove is so close - he had imagined it to be in the more distant forest. Bending his knee for a moment to commune with the deities of nature, he looks round with bright eyes at his companions,

"I know we didn't plan it, but I for one would love to speak to the druid, and I am sure he can be trusted more than the drunks in the tavern."

Anrin moves reverently towards the building, though he cannot hide the spring of excitement in his step.

"I too would love to speak to the druid, I just thought he would be out in the distant forest."

Matthias will bend his knee in respect, as Anrin did and follow, taking in the sights and smells of the grove.

Anrin's kind heart readily agrees to the suggestion of alms, handing five gold pieces over to the man he naively assumes to be the druid.

"Indeed, and we have come to ask counsel of the wise druid of this grove. I take it you are he? I am Anrin, humble Gallant of the Order of the Unicorn."

"I would not expect a Gallant of Celene to contribute. Your offering is gladly taken, for it will greatly benefit the poor here, as well as those who travel here to slave for the castle. I ask of all of you, any who would give, do not hesitate.

I can only assume you are here because of the rumours surrounding hommlet, and that your team of conscripts here substitute for the other Gallants. It is no matter: there is an issue of pressing urgency that I beg your assistance for. On the dirt road, east of Hommlet lies a ruined moathouse. Our village recently learned that bandits have been spotted there. It is bad news, for that was once an outpost for the Temple that plagued the land. We have on good word that cultists have been seen in the area too. If you can assist, the plunder you may receive is yours to pay your underlings and your Order. What say you?"

"Greetings, good druid, we will provide any assistance that we may," Matthias will give the druid 2 gold coins, his face showing his concern for the plight of the town, "it is truly unfortunate to hear that your fair town is being plagued by bandits and we would be glad to lend our assistance if we are able. Do you have any more information on the bandits? How many? How well organized they are? How long have they been around?Anything you can tell us would be most helpful in our cause."

"Your generosity is true kindness." He extends his hand, and in it is a smallish seed. The seed instantly sprouts into a seedling with two leaves, and he hands it to you. "Obad-Hai, Master of Beasts, guide you".

"Yes, that information would be beneficial to you. We only have a partial picture. Several bandits have been seen at once, but there could be as many as three dozen for all that we know. We have had a year of irregular raids and two spottings of lone cultists. They seem loyal to their own whims, and we have no reason to assume a connection to the temple, although Kenter believes otherwise."

"ahh, raidin an outpost of bandits sounds like a mighty amusing quest .Why, would yee fellas mind allowing me to join the company?" darf goes on about his love for justice as he gets ten gold pieces from his bag and hands them to the druid. "I hope my contribution is of great help sir druid"

"Blessings of Beory, mother of Oerth! May she bring rain upon you and your companions".
He calmly reaches into a pouch, producing an acorn. With a gesture, the acorn cracks and sprouts. He hands it to you.

Darf's compassion for the poor earns inspiration

"I will convene with the council now that an expedition is underway. We will treasure what information you may find out there.

I must warn you. A party of similar size to yours recently attempted the same, but I have not yet heard from them and it has been nearly a tenday. I would suggest you find others of like mind to join you for protection, for a great number of skills may be needed.

Return here if magical healing is required, for I will not withhold it from you.

The location is some 10 leagues east. A trace road breaks from the main road - do not veer from it as the territory is dangerous".

"Thank you, reverend sir. We hope to bring back only good news, of evil vanquished."

When he is out of earshot of the druid, he says to his companions, "Well, we have a quest for the morrow, but this evening shall we still visit the Woodcutter and the adventurers in the tower out east? We've spent longer here than planned, and the evening is not far away."

Unless someone wants to ask the druid something else, I suggest we move on to one or both of the locations we agreed on visiting before. Group decisions seem to take a long time in pbp! :-)